Meeting of Commissioners of
Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, Washington
August 17, 2021
A meeting of Commissioners of Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County was held at the Electric Center, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, Washington, on Tuesday, August 17, 2021.
Present: Assistant to CEO/General Manager Margaret Anderson
Present via digital conference (phone or video): President Jim Malinowski, Vice President Nancy Barnes and Secretary Jane Van Dyke Commissioners, CEO/General Manager Lena Wittler, Director of Finance Melissa Ankeny, Director of Energy Resources Dan Bedbury, Director of Information Services Jeff Groff, Director of Employee Resources Nichole Reitzenstein, Director of Communications Erica Erland, Director of Customer Service Lisa Fix, Director of Operations Gene Morris, Director of Engineering Cal Morris, General Counsel John Eldridge, Energy Resource Manager Terry Toland and Media Specialist Dameon Pesanti.
Press representatives: None
Others present via digital conference (phone or video): Don Steinke, Alona Steinke, Caroline Ceravolo, Caleb Ceravolo, Tracey Ceravolo, Cathryn Chudy, Rick Marshall, and Jean Avery.
At 9:05 a.m., President Malinowski called the meeting to order for the transaction of formal business. Commissioner Malinowski noted a quorum was present and the agenda was approved as presented (Materials A).
Public Comment
Member of the public Alona Steinke provided background on the climate group they are a part of and the accomplishments they have made.
Member of the public Caroline Ceravolo shared her concerns about the climate and urged Clark Public Utilities to stop contributing to it and leaving it for the younger generation to take care of.
Member of the public Caleb Ceravolo provided his thoughts on the use of fossil fuels and he asked Clark Public Utilities to stop burning fossil fuels.
Tracy Ceravolo provided comments on the climate crisis and her concerns regarding trapping heat and the increase in days with poor air quality in the last year. Ms. Ceravolo urged Clark Public Utilities to hire more employees, and work 24/7 to find innovative ways to reverse the climate crisis.
Member of the public Don Steinke thanked Clark Public Utilities for the recent Energy Adviser column in The Columbian, thenprovided thoughts on the global climate crisis caused by the use of fossil fuels. He feels Washington is in a state of emergency due to the use of fossil fuels and asked if any of the commissioners agreed. Commissioner Malinowski stated he is in support of cost effective initiatives to stave of climate changes.
Member of the public Cathryn Chudy provided her thoughts on climate change, the need to reduce greenhouse gas and the proposed climate action plan by the City of Vancouver.
Member of the public Rick Marshall provided his thoughts on the use of natural gas in homes and buildings and its effects on the health of those living and working in them. Mr. Marshall said Clark Public Utilities is a trusted agency and we should provide evidence based advice to our customers.
If members of the public have provided the utility with written comments, copies of these comments in their entirety may be obtained by contacting Margaret Anderson at [email protected] or 360-992-3378.
Consideration of the Minutes of August 3, 2021
There were no changes.
Consideration of Accounts Payable
The board, by a unanimous vote, approved the following payment amounts as listed on the Letter of Transmittal dated August 17, 2021 from the District Auditor (Materials B):
Electric Revenue Fund – $9,315,445.75
Water Revenue Fund – $668,640.03
Generating System Fund – $189,653.15
For a total of $10,173,738.93
Consideration of Resolutions of Intent to Establish LUD Nos. 1416, 1418, 1419 and 1424
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Intent to Establish Local Utility District Nos. 1416, 1418, 1419 and 1424.
Resolution No. 7672 – LUD No. 1416 – Melbourne Estates
Resolution No. 7673 – LUD No. 1418 – JKM Short Plat
Resolution No. 7674 – LUD No. 1419 – Kuokka PUD Subdivision
Resolution No. 7675 – LUD No. 1424 – 130th Avenue Subdivision
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Malinowski opened for public comment. There being no comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Van Dyke, seconded by Commissioner Barnes, and unanimously carried that Resolution Nos. 7672 – 7675 be adopted and a public hearing was set for September 21, 2021 (Materials C).
Consideration of Resolutions of Establishment of LUD Nos. 1412, 1421, 1422 and 1423
Director of Engineering Cal Morris addressed the board regarding the Establishment of Local Utility District Nos. 1412, 1421, 1422 and 1423.
Resolution No. 7676 – LUD No. 1412 – Ritter Subdivision
Resolution No. 7677 – LUD No. 1421 – Hockinson Hollow
Resolution No. 7678 – LUD No. 1422 – Daybreak Heights Estates
Cluster
Resolution No. 7679 – LUD No. 1423 – Austin Heritage PUD PH 4
After the presentation by Mr. Morris, Commissioner Malinowski opened for public comment. There being no comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Barnes, seconded by Commissioner Van Dyke and unanimously carried that Resolution No. 7676 – 7679 be adopted (Materials D).
Consideration of Bid Award No. 616 – Gas Turbine Inlet Filters
Director of Operations Gene Morris reviewed the memo dated August 17, 2021 detailing the bid results (Materials E). Commissioner Barnes moved to recommend that Bid No. 616 be awarded to the low responsive and responsible bidder American Air Filter International Co., for the filters specified in the base bid (with stainless steel components) in the amount of $155,804.00 plus applicable taxes. Commissioner Van Dyke seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Commissioner Reports and Comments
Commissioner Van Dyke reported on an article from the American Public Power Association regarding renewables being the No. 2 on the list of power producers in the United States.
Staff Reports
There were no staff reports.
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
With no public comments to come before the board, the meeting was recessed into executive session at 9:55 a.m. in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act. RCW 42.30.110 (1)(g) – to evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment or to review the performance of a public employee. The executive session was expected to last no longer than 60 minutes and no action was taken during the executive session.
Commissioner Malinowski reconvened the public meeting at 11:00 a.m.
Other Business before the Board
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 11:08 a.m.